"With remarkable filming and cutting, [Director John] Huston had notably achieved a great deal of interest and tension in some rather static scenes. .... Though largely confined to a few rooms, he kept people on the move and
has used an intrusive hurricane for some slam-bang melodramatic effects.
He has also got stinging performances out of most of his cast—notably out
of Mr. [Edward G.] Robinson, who plays the last of the
red-hot gangsters in top-notch style."